Theobroma, meaning food of the gods, is a liquid time capsule, taking us back to the origins of the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink around 1,200 B.C. in Honduras, according to Dogfish Head. Yes, before people were eating chocolate, apparently they were drinking it. I certainly wasn’t privy to this delicious piece of history. Pouring a lavish golden hue, the head certainly follows suit with the divinity associated with Theobroma, lasting briefly and finally lining the glass’s edge in what seemed to be a ring of shimmering diamonds. Coincidence? I think not. The color of this ale truly is deceptive, almost resembling a wheat ale. Generally, chocolate ales have much deeper tones. So, that unexpected “pow” really caught me off guard for the first few sips. That first gulp ravishes your senses with a rich, full-bodied, earthy cocoa aroma and taste. This is most definitely one of the finer smelling brews. The taste of fresh Aztec cocoa, honey and a light hint of yeast satisfy the built-up chocolate craving, finishing with a slight kick from the chilies. Carbonation is very minimal, in keeping with the liquid chocolate theme. I’m sure this was intentional. Overall this brew was very well done, exceeding in elegance and refinement, a kudos to Dogfish Head for another culturally sound and unusual brew. Fun Fact, according to Dog Fish, the phrase “drunk as a monkey” came from cocoa pods that monkeys found cracked open and naturally fermented by the rain. They then proceeded to drink their little monkey-selves into a stupor.